sports massage therapy schools

sports massage therapy schools

Sports Massage Therapy

Sports Massage is a specific type of massage, usually shown before, during and after sporting events to help to prepare the athlete for desired performance, to relax the nerves and prevent injuries. This type of massage can be provided only by a professional who has a deep understanding anatomy and physiology and particularly the muscular and skeletal systems.

Sports Massage works deep to eliminate toxins embedded in the fibers muscle, remove adhesions, and minimize scar tissue buildup. Muscle lengthening in sports massage helps restore range of motion and overall flexibility. Sports massage also leads to improved circulation which facilitates better cell nutrition, greater elasticity of muscle fiber, and reducing recovery time.

Sports massage is a combination of Swedish massage and Shiatsu specifically designed to meet the needs of athletes professionals. Depending on the needs of the athlete, a variety of techniques are used including classic Swedish strokes, cross fiber friction, pressure about work, and joint mobilization.

Types of Sports Massage

Sports massage therapy includes pre-event, post event, maintenance and rehabilitation techniques that promote greater athletic endurance and performance, reducing the chances of injuries and faster healing.

Pre-event
Pre-event sports massage helps warm the muscles by stretching them and making them flexible for optimal athletic performance. A pre-massage event also stimulates blood flow and nutrients to the muscle, reduces muscle tension, relax muscles and produce a sense of psychological preparation. A pre-event massage is best done until two days before the main event.

Post-Event
Post – event massage focuses on relieving muscle soreness, minimizing the effects of fatigue and reduced stress levels in the body. It also helps reduce swelling, maintain flexibility, promote blood flow to the muscle to remove lactic acid and accumulation of waste and reduce cramping. This also helps faster healing.

Prevention

This is more of a maintenance massage which can be done at least once a week as a regular part of athletic training programs. Massage preventive increases blood flow and nutrients to the muscles and helps repair small tears in strenuous physical activity. It also keeps tissue loose so that different muscle layers slide over each other.

Rehabilitation

Sports massage is also used as a last resort in case of injury. The Sports massage helps rehabilitate by minimizing the negative effects of scar tissue and adhesions caused to the athlete and helps regain lost flexibility and strength.

Sports Massage Techniques

There are three main techniques of massage frequently used in sport, namely, friction, and friction petrissage. Most massage techniques ensure the main pressure is directed toward the heart to increase venous and lymphatic flow. The strokes also ensure that excess pressure causes no damage to blood vessels. While effleurage is a preparatory background stroke, petrissage allows detail work on the body in releasing tension followed by friction.

Sports Massage Benefits

The benefits of sports massage impact the physical, physiological and psychological. A state welfare is only achieved when all three aspects are in balance. Here is a compilation of the main benefits achieved in each level through sports massage:

The physical effects of massage are:

• Deep massage causes the pores in tissue membranes to open, allowing fluids and nutrients to be allowed to pass through the elimination of waste such as lactic acid.
• Deep massage stimulates the muscles to take oxygen and nutrients which promote faster healing
• Sports massage stretches muscles to release tension or stress by excessive physical activity
• Sports massage helps break down scar tissues which usually affect the muscles, tendons and ligaments which impair performance.
• Sports massage helps improve elasticity of tissues.
Physiological effects of sports massage are:
• Sports massage helps reduce pain.
• Muscles are relaxed after a sports massage
The psychological effects of sports massage are:
• Reduced levels of anxiety and stress caused by relaxed muscles and nerves.
• Sports massage stimulates a feeling of well being and health.

Sports Massage Therapist

A sports massage therapist must be trained and certified in sports massage therapy from a school accredited by the American Massage Therapy Association / Commission on Massage Training Accreditation / Approval (AMTA / COMTAA) or your State Board of Education. An occupational therapist also may have completed additional training program approved by the AMTA National Sports Massage Certification Program. Many sports massage therapists also complete the national certification exam for Therapeutic Massage and bodywork.

Other suggestions

People who suffer from the following conditions or disorders should consult a doctor before going to a sports massage:

acute infectious diseases
aneurysm
large bruises
cancer / hernia
high blood pressure
inflammation due to tissue damage
osteoporosis
phlebitis
varicose veins and certain skin conditions.
Wounds open
Muscle or tendon ruptures ruptures
Contusions
Burns, frostbite and broken bones
Periostitis
Arthritis and gout Rheuatoid
Bursitis
Myositis ossificans
Thrombosis
The artificial blood vessels
Bleeding disorders such as heamophillia
Tumors
Melanoma

Sports Massage for the Shoulder Girdle, Prone, with Christopher Fritel

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